Property management fees have risen fastest in the Midlands over the past decade according to latest research from Rushbrook & Rathbone, although landlords in the South continue to pay the highest costs overall.
The analysis compared average rental values across England between 2016 and 2026 and applied a typical property management fee of 10% plus VAT to estimate annual management costs.
It found that fees in the Midlands have increased by 53.9% over the last 10 years, outpacing both the North and South of England.
Despite this growth, the South remains the most expensive region for landlords using professional management services. The estimated average annual management fee across the South, including London, now stands at £2,168, compared with £1,353 in the Midlands and £1,237 in the North.
CAPITAL DEMAND
London continues to command the highest fees nationally, with the average annual management cost reaching £3,303 in 2026. While this represents a 37% increase over the decade – the lowest rate of growth of any region analysed – it remains significantly higher than elsewhere in the country.
The East Midlands recorded the largest increase nationally, with fees rising by 57% over the period, while the West Midlands saw growth of 50.9%. In the North, the North West experienced the strongest increase at 56.9%, followed by Yorkshire and the Humber at 45.1% and the North East at 43.7%.
Rushbrook & Rathbone said the increases reflect rising rental values and the growing complexity of managing rental property in an increasingly regulated sector.
FASTEST GROWTH
Roma Sharma (main picture, inset), Managing Director of Rushbrook & Rathbone, says: “While the South continues to command the highest management fees in absolute terms, it’s notable that the Midlands has seen the fastest rate of growth over the last decade, reflecting the strength of rental demand and rental value growth across the region.
“Property management today is also very different from what it was ten years ago. Landlords are operating in an increasingly regulated environment, with greater compliance responsibilities, higher tenant expectations, and more complex operational requirements than ever before.
“As a result, professional property management plays an increasingly important role in protecting landlords’ investments, ensuring regulatory compliance and delivering a positive experience for tenants.”
